All Things Mobile

How 3D Printing Was Used To Help A Duck Walk

The revolutionary new technology of 3D printing has been rapidly creating innovations in the field of science, and the strides being made would not have been perceived a decade ago. One of the most startling advancements that have been facilitated by the world-changing machinery is its recently discovered ability to help disabled animals regain their walking capabilities. The first creature to receive a printed prosthetic is a mutated duck named Buttercup.

The fowl was hatched in the biology lab of a high school with a backwards foot. Standard bird raising techniques failed to correct the malformation, and the duckling was soon transferred to Feathered Angels Waterfowl Sanctuary, which is located in Arlington, Tennessee. The management there understood that only experimental medical treatments could help the duck acquire bipedal mobility. As a result, Buttercup became the first bird to follow a unique route towards recovery by receiving an artificial foot.

Unfortunately, animal prosthetics have not been a viable industry. This is because the costs are unsustainably high. Luckily, 3D printers have managed to circumvent the economic boundaries that prevent animals from receiving complete care. Comprehensive plans have been virtually constructed to allow the duck to walk without pain. An artificial leg has been designed, and the anatomy of the developing limb was based on photographs of his healthy sibling.

Thankfully for Buttercup, there was a 3D printing organization that was sympathetic to his plight. NovaCopy volunteered their technological capabilities to assist the duck in achieving a complete life. As the company finalized designs for the foot, Buttercup had his misshapen extension amputated in preparation for the replacement; however, there were a few challenges along his path towards balanced appendages.

The project will culminate when the workers print out a secure mold for the prosthetic to be poured into. The shape of the enclosure will be meticulously fine-tuned to accommodate the nuanced needs of a fully mobile limb. Several variations will be printed, and Buttercup will get to test the entire assortment. This will allow the duck to find the most precise fit for his agile needs.

The first issue that surfaced was an incompatibility of the regularly used raw materials. Standard plastics were deemed to be too inflexible for proper function. Luckily, the development team discovered that silicone would be a fine substitute for the rigid plastics. Prior to the attachment of his new foot, Buttercup will be equipped with an internal silicone sheath. This permanent vessel will form the connection between Buttercup and his prosthetic body part. The contraption engenders the possibility of interchangeability for different environmental adaptations.

Buttercup is already strutting on his stump, but he will be receiving the final prototype within the upcoming two weeks. His courageous story has inspired leagues of social media followers, and his transformation will be publicly monitored. When he was born, Buttercup was destined for a short life marked by excruciating pain; however, modern science was able to intervene. As a result, he will be a historically significant landmark in progressing medical welfare of animals around the world. If the project is as successful as it is expected to be, then people around the world will be able to affordably assist their pets if they ever get injured. This is an immensely positive addition to the realm of animal welfare.